PARIS, 7 January 2000 - Here are some essential jazz
albums as of the end of the 20th century. It is meant to be a good
start more than a complete list - the best at their most consistent
and communicative best. Do not leave for Mars without them.

Most
names are of the original individual LPs - sometimes collections of
78s to begin with - as reissued more or less intact on CD.
Multiple-box compilations can get flabby filling out extra time;
recommended box sets are muscular.

Lester Young once said
that if he were the leader of a big band he would hire Billie Holiday
and Frank Sinatra as his vocalists and in deference to The President
they are the only vocalists on the list. (Essential recordings
requiring specific acquired culture to appreciate are omitted.)

It
gets complicated. Even reissues are reissued these days. Names and
programming evolve along the way and between countries. And albums go
out of print. The French are excellent collectors of this music; the
two French compilations cited are unusual if not unique and worth a
detour.

For alternatives and more detail consult the web
site www.allmusic.com.